Time recording system



April 1, 1941. Q DOTY 2,237,137

TIME RECORDING SYSTEM Filed June 8, 19158 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN OR.

A TITORNEYS.

April 1, 1941. c, DOTY TIME ancoanme SYSTEM Filed June 8, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Z; 2 ZV%/TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 1, 1941 TIME RECORDING SYSTEM Charles R. Doty, Binghamton,N. Y., assignor to Intern ational Business Machines Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 8, 1938,Serial No. 212,526

6 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic time imprinting systems and moreparticularly to time recording systems applicable to signaling systems.such as printing telegraph systems.

An object of the present invention is to provide means whereby timeimprinting means are adapted to be rendered operative upon operation ofthe signaling device to effect true time registration on a suitablerecord and thereafter register automatically at periodic intervals thetime as long as the signaling device is operated.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision ofmeans whereby the time registration is made on the same message blankupon which the character signals are recorded.

Another object resides in the provision of means whereby the timeimprinting system is rendered inoperative at a particular timed intervalafter completion of operation of the signaling device.

Another object resides in the provision of time delay mechanism which iscontrolled independently of the signaling device to render the automatictime imprinting system inoperative whenever the signaling device isrendered inoperative.

To illustrate a method to attain the above-mentioned objects, theembodiment to be described presently is shown to comprise a signalingdevice such as a teletypewriter which is adapted upon operation thereofto render operative a timing control unit which in turn is effective tocontrol the operation of a time imprinting device thereby effecting truetime registration upon the same side or face of a message blank or tapeupon which the characters are recorded in accordance with the operationof the teletypewriter. As long as the teletypewriter is operated, thetime imprinting device is adapted to be operated automatically andindependently of the teletypewriter to register the time at periodicintervals upon the message blank. Provision is also made to renderinoperative the time imprinting system at a predetermined timed intervalafter the signaling device is rendered inoperative.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship of the signalingdevice such as a teletypewriter with a time imprinting unit to effectthe recording of both on the same face of the message blank.

Fig.- 2 is a detail view of the teletypewriter showing the relationshipof the control elements thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view showing the main operating elements ofthe time imprinting unit.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation view showing the control elements of the timedelay unit.

Fig. 4-A is a detail view showing the frictional mounting for the camelement.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of the system.

General description The time and message recording system is shown tocomprise a signaling device such as the teletypewriter In in Fig. 1which is adapted to be controlled by a similar device II at a remotestation. Associated with the teletypewriter unit is shown a timeimprinting unit l2, such as a time stamp, disposed adjacent to theteletypewriter so that the message tape I3 is fed directly from themessage recorder to the time recorder unit. The said tape is adapted tobe aligned in the time imprinting unit so that the time registration isnot only recorded on the same side of the tape as the message but alsoadapted to be recorded above the message. The time imprinting system isadapted to be rendered operative immediately upon operation of theteletypewriter unit. It will be obvious from the description to be setforth .herein that the signaling device which is shown as theteletypewriter unit may be either a transmitting or receiving unit. Inthe present illustration the time printing unit is shown associated witha receiving teletypewriter unit Ill. The said teletypewriter unit iscontrolled by a similar unit II at a remote station and is adaptedto berendered operative upon the receipt of the character signals impressedupon the transmission medium designated L Upon operation of the messagerecording unit a time delay mechanism generally indicated at is (Fig. 4)is set in operation to operate the time imprinting unit l2 to registerupon the tape l3 the true time of receipt of the first signal. As longas the teletypewriter unit is operated, the time stamp is operated atperiodic intervals to register the time upon the message tape. Themechanism to effect this automatic operation is independent of themessage recording unit and controlled solely by the time imprintingunit. When the teletypewriter is rendered inoperative, the time delaymechanism, after a predetermined timed interval, is eifective to renderinoperative the time imprinting unit. Similarly, during the timed periodthat the teletypewriter is operated, the said mechanism is adapted to bein operation but is restrained from being effective and from renderingthe time system inoperative until the teletypewriter no longer isfunctioning.

now be described in detail.

v Signal recording device The signaling device is shown to comprise amessage recording mechanism such as the wellknown teletypewriterdisclosed and described in detail in the United States Patent 1,745,633,issued February 4, 1930,.so that it is deemed necessary only to setforth the following brief description of the operation thereof. It iswell known that upon receipt of the character or code signals by thecontrol magnet unit l that character type bar selection is effected byselectively positioning'the selector mechanism generally designated itwhich in turn is effective to position selectively the permutation orcode bars I! in accordance with the signals received and impressed uponthe said control magnet unit. Upon positioning of the code bars, aparticular actuating bar It is selected and then operated by theprinting bail I9 supported by the plunger to operate the selected typebar 2i to engage the printing platen '22 to record the selectedcharacter.

It is well known that immediately upon selection or positioning of thecode bars Ii that the cam element 23 is set in motion to be rotated bythe continuously rotatingshaft 25 operating the cam follower member 25and lever 25 associated with the printing bail plunger 20. The camelement 23 is adapted to make one revolution and is then brought to restat a normal position for each printing operation. Therefore, it is seenthat the printing bail I9 is operated each time the code combination ofsignal impulses are impressed upon the control magnet.

The contacts 21 are provided in the teletypewriter unit and are suitablydisposed adjacent to the printing bail 19 so as to be operated each timethe said bail is operated to effect recording of a character. Therefore,it is understood that the contacts 21 are operated each time a characteris recorded upon the message tape [3. The

purpose of the said contacts will be understood as the descriptionprogresses.

Time imprinting unit The time registration or recording unit is shown tocomprise a well known type of time stamp and is similar to the timestamp fully disclosed and described in the United States Patent1,798,583, dated March 31, 1931. Therefore, it

thereof will suffice.

The time stamp generally is shown to comprise the usual type elements 28of which any number may be provided to register the hours, minutes andseconds, if so desired, and are adapted to be positioned by the drivinggear 29 which is secured to shaft 30, The type wheels are provided withthe usual transfer mechanism and thus are adapted to indicate any of thedesired increments of time. Secured to the shaft 30 is a ratchet wheel3| which is adapted to be positioned periodically by the pawl 32pivotally supported by the lever 33 which is rotatably mounted on shaft30. Attached to the lever 33 is an arm 34 which has connection with apart of the bell crank member 35 pivotally supported by the unit whichalso has an extension arm 36 adapted to be positioned by the cam 31. Itshould be mentioned here that the cam 31 is not provided in the Patent1,798,583. In this said patent the standard impulse magnet is providedto actuate the pawl mechanism, whereas in the present time stampmechanism a synchronous motor generally indiupon which the cam 31 issecured. The synchronous motor is adapted to rotate the shaft 39 onecomplete revolution each minute. Of course, it is obvious that themechanism can be arranged for any desired interval of time. The said cam31 is not only adapted to position the bell crank lever 35 every minuteso as to actuate the ratchet 3i and shaft 30', thus positioning the typewheels accordingly but is also adapted to position the lever pivotallysecured to the lever 35 to actuate the contacts 6| every minute orperiodically in accordance with the chosen time interval. The purpose ofthe said contacts will be understood as the description progresses.

The time stamp is provided with the usual control relay '62 which uponenergization is adapted to attract the armature Q3 and actuate the leverl i'to operate the control contacts 55. The contacts 45 as shown in Fig,5 are connected directly to the time stamp solenoid 46 to efiectenergization of the said solenoid each time the contacts 45 are closed.Energization of the solenoid causes the printing platen M to be raisedto engage the type wheels 28 and thus to efiect time registration uponthe tape l3 indicating the true time when the said time stamp isrendered operative. Contacts 48 are provided and are suitably disposedso as to be operated by the armature 49 of the solenoid each time thesolenoid is energized. The purpose of these contacts will be explainedin connection with the description of the circuit diagram.

Time delay mechanism Referring now to Figs. 4 and 4-A, it is shown thatthe timing control unit comprises a control solenoid 50 and theassociated linkage 5| which is connected to the solenoid plunger and thecam element 52 which is frictionally mounted on sleeve 53. The sleeve issecured to shaft 54 which is adapted to be rotated by the gearingindicated generally at 55a which in turn is driven by the synchronousmotor 56. Whenever the said motor is inoperative and the solenoid 50 isenergized, it is to be understood that the cam element 52 is rotated ina clockwise direction. A spring 55 is provided to maintain the sleeve 53in firm frictional contact with cam element 52, but the energizedsolenoid is of sufiicient strength to position the cam element in aclockwise direction notwithstanding the effort of the spring 55 to keepthe cam element and the sleeve in a fixed relationship with each other.The said plunger and linkage and cam element 52 are adapted to remain inthe described position whenever the solenoid 50 is deenergized. It isnoted that contacts 56 are provided to cooperate with the cam element 52and upon energization of the solenoid 50, to rotate the said cam in aclockwise direction, the contacts 56 are closed and remain closed upondeenergization of the said solenoid until the cam element 52 isrepositioned to the normal rest position as shown in Fig, 4, whereuponthe contacts 56 are then opened. The cam element 52 is repositioned tothey normal position shown in Fig. 4 by the synchronous motor 10 which,through the described gearing 55a, is adapted to rotate the shaft 54,sleeve 53, and cam element 52 in a counterclockwise direction. Thesynchronous motor can be chosen so as to rotate the shaft and camelement at anydesired rate. It should be assumed that the gear ratio in:the present illustration is such that a time interval of the order often seconds is required for the motor 10 to reposition the camelementfroni its farthest position to the right as viewed in Fig. 4 tothe normal position indicated in the figure. Thus, it is understoodthatupon energization of the solenoid 50 and the positioning of the camelement 52 that without further energization of the solenoid 50 during aten second interval and assuming that the synchronous motor 56 isimmediately set into operation thatthe ten seconds is then required torestore the cam element .52 to the normal postiion to open the contacts56. However, if during the time interval that the synchronous motor 10is operating and partly effective to reposition the cam element 52, thesolenoid 50 is energized, the cam element 52 is then again positioned toits extreme right hand position, thus requiring an interval of tenseconds after the last energization of the solenoid v 50 for the motor70 tobe effective to fully restore the cam element to the normalpositionto open the contacts 56. The purpose of this arrangement willnow be described.

Operation of the system Referring now to Fig. andassuming that all thecontrol elements just described are inoperative and that the messagetape I3 is properly aligned in the time stamp mechanism I2, and that theteletypewriter unit II at the remote station is now set into operationto impress the character signalsupon the transmission medium to energizethe teletypewrlter control magnet |5 to effect proper selection of thecode bars I? thereby effecting recording of the character upon the tapel3, The contacts 21 are operated upon recording the said character toenergize the control solenoid 50 of the timing control unit to positionthe cam element 52 to its farthest right hand position as viewed inFig.. 4, thus closing the contacts 56. Upon closure of .the lastmentioned contacts, a circuit is completed from one side of the battery60 throughthe contacts 56 and the normally closed contacts 6| of relay62 to the time stamp control magnet 42 to the other side of the saidbattery, thus energizing the said magnet, Energizatlon of the magnet 42is effected to close the associated contacts 45 and thus complete thebattery circuit to the time stamp solenoid 46 to efiect true timeregistration upon the message tape l3. Upon energization of the solenoid46, contacts 48 are closed to establishat this time a circuit from thebattery through the contacts 56 now closed and the said contacts 48, thecoil of relay 62 to the other side of the battery, energizing the saidrelay. The normally closed contacts 6| are now open to deenergize thetime stamp control magnet 42 and close the contacts 63 and 64. A holdingcircuit is established through the contact 63 and contacts 56 for therelay 62; and an energizing circuit is completed to the motor IIIthrough the contacts 64 which are now closed.

Operation of the synchronous motor 10 at this time is now effective tostart to reposition the cam element 52 to the normal position shown inFig. 4. However, assume that the teletypewriter is continued to beoperated in the usual manner so that character recording is effectedduring.

writer unit is operated by means of the described holding circuit.

Now assume that the synchronous motor 38 is being" operated to properlyposition the type wheels 28 in the time stamp and that periodically andat predetermined time intervals, i. e. one minute, the cam 31 iseffective to actuate not only the type wheels 28 but also the contacts4|, It is seen upon each operation of the contacts 4| that a circuit iscompleted through the contacts 56 and contacts 4| to the control magnet42 to energize this magnet and efiect closure of the associated contacts45 to energize the time stamp solenoid, thereby effecting timeregistration upon the mess-age tape 13 periodically at chosen intervals.This automatic time registration continues in the manner described untilthe, message recorder is rendered inoperative, that is, in the eventthat character signals are not received during the said predeterminedtime interval to effect recording of the characters. Assume now thatthis is the case and the contacts 21 are not operated during the saidpredetermined time interval, thus permitting the synchronous motor 10 tobe effective to fully reposition the cam element 52 to the normalposition as shown in Fig. 4, thereby opening the contacts 56. Opening ofthese contacts is effective to break the described holding circuit tothe relay 62, thereby restoring the time imprinting system to the normalinoperative condition. In this manner it is seen that upon operation ofthe message recorder, true time registration is effected upon themessage tape and that periodic time registration is effected as long asthe message recorder is rendered operative to record the charactersinaccordance with the signals received, and that the timing control unitis efieotive at a predetermined timed interval after the messagerecorder is rendered inoperative to recondition the time imprintingsystem so as to be ineffective to continue further automatic timeregistrations at the periodic intervals. In order to preventsuperimposition under certain conditions of the initial timeregistration on the preceding final time registration effected, suitablewell known means can be provided to advance automatically the tape asuitable distance after the last character recording, Such tapeadvancing means form no part of the present invention and need not bedescribed in more detail.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, itwill be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changesin the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operationmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention, It is the intention therefore to be limitedonly as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the class described wherein a signaling device andmeans for controlling the same are provided; the combination of timerecording means, an initial circuit for said time recording means havingnormally closed contacts therein and a normally open parallel connectionthereto, a periodic closing means for said parallel connection, aswitching means operated initially by the signaling device to energizethe initial circuit to efiect operation of the time recording means torecord the initial time, means efiective upon operation of the timerecording means to open the normally closed contacts of said initialcircuit, control means for maintaining said switching means operativeduring the continued operation of signaling device and for apredetermined period thereafter, the

' switching means when operative being adapted to cooperate with theperiodic closing means to complete a circuit to the time recording meansthrough the parallel connection to record the time at periodicintervals.

2. In apparatus of the class described wherein a signaling device andmeans to control the operation of said device are provided; thecombination of time recording means, a control circuit extending fromthe signaling device to the time recording means, control meansconditioned by said signaling device and effective upon initialoperation-of said device for energizing the control circuit to cause therecording means to record the initial time, means controlled by saidtime recording means upon operation thereof for breaking said controlcircuit, time means connected in parallel with said circuit-breakingmeans for completing the said circuit at periodic time intervals tooperate the recording means as long as the control means remainsconditioned, and means to restore the conditioned control means tonormal a predetermined time period after the last opera-tion of thesignaling device.

3. In apparatus of the class described wherein a signaling device andmeans to control the operation of said device are provided; thecombination of time recording means, may control circuit extending fromthe signaling device to the recording means, control means in saidcircuit having an ineffective home position and an infinity of effectivedisplaced positions in which said circuit is closed, means for movingsaid control means to the most displaced position under control of thesignaling device upon each operation of said device, means controlled bythe recording means upon operation thereof for breaking said controlcircuit, biasing means for gradually returning the displaced controlmeans through its displaced positions to the home position and capableof bringing it to paid home position a predetermined time after eachoperation of the signaling device, and a periodically operating circuitcloser connected in parallel with the circuit-breaking means forcompleting the circuit for energizing the recording means automaticallyand periodically as long as the control means is in any of its displacedpositions, said circuit closer being rendered ineffective to completethe circuit upon return of the control means to its home position.

4. In a system of the character described wherein a signaling device andmeansto govern the operation thereof are provided; the combination oftime recording means, a control circuit for said recording means,control means responmeans a predetermined time interval after cessa siveto the signaling device for completing said circuit, means controlled bythe recording means as an incident to the operation thereof for breakingsaid circuit, and a periodically closing swig h connected in saidcontrol circuit in parallel with the last mentioned means for causingthe completion of said circuit to be governed jointly by the switch andthe control means so as to effect operation of recording means atperiodic intervals thereafter during continued operation of saidsignaling device.

5. In a system of the character described wherein a signaling device andmeans to govern the operation thereof are provided; the combination oftime recording means, control means conditioned upon initial operationof said signaling device to effect immediate operation of said recordingmeans, a periodically operated control element, and means operable bysaid recording means upon .its initial operation to render the operationof said recording means jointly controllable by said element and. saidcontrol means, the control means including means to maintain saidcontrol means conditioned during continued operation of said signalingdevice to cause periodic operations of the recording means uponoperation of the control element and means for rendering the elementinefl'ective to cause operation of said recording tion of operation ofthe signaling device.

6. In apparatus of the class described wherein a signaling device andmeans for controlling the same are provided; the combination of timerecording means, an initial circuit for said recording means havingnormally closed contacts therein and a normally open parallel connectionthereto, a periodic closing means for said parallel connection, aswitching means operated initially by the signaling device to energizethe initial circuit to efiect operation of the recording means to recordthe initial time, means effective upon operation of the time recordingmeans to open the normally closed contacts of said initial circuit,means controlled by the last named means and the operated switchingmeans for holding said contacts in the open position so as to maintainthe initial circuit inoperative, control means for maintaining saidswitching means operative during the continued operation of thesignaling device and for a predetermined period thereafter, theswitching means when operative being adapted to complete a circuit tothe time recording means through the parallel connection to record thetime at periodic intervals and said switching means upon being renderedinopera tive by the control means after said predetermined periodcausing the holding means to release the contacts so as to reestablishthe initial circuit.

CHARLES R. DOTY.

, CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,257,157. April 1, 19in.

CHARLES R. Dor It is hereby certified that error appears in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionasfollows Page )4, first column, line 52, claim 5, for "may" read-a--;-1ine 15, same claim, for

the word paid read --said--; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein thatthe same may conform'to the record"of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of ma A. D. 19in.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal Acting Commissioner of'Patents.

, CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,257,157. April 1, 19h.-

CHARLES R. Dor It is hereby certified that error appears in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionasfollowsz Page l|.,'first .colmnn, line 52, claim 5, for."may" read-a--;-1ine 15, same claim, for

the word "paid" read --said--; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that thesame may conform'to therecord "of the ease in the Patent Office. Y Signed end sealed this 27thday .of May; 'A. D. 1914.1.

Henry Van Arsdale, v (sea1 Acting Commissioner f'Pat ents.

